Mizoram CM gets 'threatening' SMS, lodges FIR

By Adam Halliday
Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla has lodged an FIR after receiving 'threatening' SMSes 

Police have questioned a prominent Aizawl-based educationist for allegedly sending Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla an "offensive" and "threatening" SMS soon after the Congress came back to power in the just-concluded Assembly polls.

The SMS alleged that the Congress had swept the polls due to "EVM rigging" and "misuse" of the election machinery. It also contained a veiled threat of lives being at risk, the actual 'Mizo' word addressed to the CM. The sender identified himself as "phantom".

Sent before the formation of government in the state, Lal Thanhawla is said to have taken "serious offence" and immediately lodged an FIR at the Aizawl Police Station.

Police have registered a case and questioned Chhawnthuama, the owner of a well-known residential school in Aizawl's Durtlang neighborhood. Although the SIM card used for sending the message was not a usual one, investigators said a handset has been traced from him. The educationist has however not been charged formally.